SEVENTH SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH
BRINGS GLOBALSTAR SATELLITE CONSTELLATION TO 28
Successful Testing of Phones, Satellites and Gateways Validates System Integrity
NEW YORK, New York, July 10, 1999 - Globalstar (NASDAQ:GSTRF) today announced the successful launch of an additional four low-earth-orbiting (LEO) satellites into space, bringing the total number of Globalstar satellites that have been successfully launched to 28. Globalstar's satellites, manufactured by prime contractor Space Systems/Loral, were launched today at 4:45 a.m. EDT aboard a Boeing Delta II launch vehicle from the Cape Canaveral Air Station in Florida.
"We are now only one successful launch away from completing our 32-satellite constellation, enabling Globalstar to initiate a regional roll-out of service in September," said Bernard L. Schwartz, chairman and chief executive officer of Globalstar. "All facets of the system, both in orbit and on the ground, have come together smoothly."
"Our ground infrastructure is also nearing readiness for commercial launch," Mr. Schwartz added, "with 8 Globalstar gateways already operational and 19 under construction. System testing continues to be robust, surpassing our expectations."
The Globalstar satellites were separated in pairs from the upper stage of the Delta II rocket at an altitude of 1370 kilometers (851 miles) above the Earth. Flight engineers at Globalstar's ground control center in San Jose, Calif., subsequently acquired the satellites using the six Globalstar telemetry command unit gateways located in Aussaguel, France; Yeoju, South Korea; Dubbo, Australia; Bosque Allegre, Argentina; Delareyville, South Africa; and Clifton, Texas. During the next two weeks, Globalstar engineering teams will raise these satellites to their operational altitude of 1,414 kilometers (877 miles).
Launches will continue through the end of the year, using a combination of Delta and Soyuz launch vehicles. Though service will be available with an initial constellation of 32 satellites, this will be expanded by the end of the year to a full fleet of 48 satellites, providing maximum system capacity and redundancy, backed up by an additional four on-orbit spares.
The Globalstar system is designed to provide affordable satellite-based digital voice services to a broad range of subscribers and users. Globalstar will meet the needs of cellular users and global travelers who roam outside of cellular coverage areas, as well as residents of under-served markets who will use Globalstar's fixed-site phones to satisfy their needs for basic telephony.
Globalstar, led by founding partner Loral Space & Communications, is a partnership of the world's leading telecommunications service providers and equipment manufacturers, including Qualcomm Incorporated, AirTouch Communications, Alcatel, Alenia, China Telecom (HK), DACOM, DaimlerChrysler Aerospace, Elsacom (a Finmeccanica Company), France Telecom, Hyundai, Space Systems/Loral and Vodafone. For more information, visit Globalstar's web site at www.globalstar.com.
Loral Space & Communications (NYSE:LOR) is a high technology company that primarily concentrates on satellite manufacturing and satellite-based services, including broadcast transponder leasing and value-added services, domestic and international corporate data networks, global wireless telephony, broadband data transmission and content services, Internet services, and international direct-to-home satellite services. For more information, visit Loral's web site at www.loral.com. |
